utorak, 11. srpnja 2017.

Markers are not my favourite media, but sometimes it is good to challenge one's self. Working with just one marker is obviously limiting, but it is also kind of interesting. These monochrome illustrations turned out alright. Not my thing, but I'm glad I tried it. Anyhow, once I read somewhere that limitations can be really freeing- and life proved it to me, over and over again. Sometimes it takes a limitation of some kind to make us realize how much is really out there for us to utilize.

ponedjeljak, 3. srpnja 2017.

EN Latica Ivanishevich, a Croatian artist, was born in Zagreb during forties ( in 1942 to be precise). In Croatia, Latica is known primarily for her work as a costume and stage designer. However, Latica has also exhibited on her own (jewellerly and art). This book feels a bit like ears-dropping on a family conversation. Seeing the cover and this lovely photograph of Latica Ivanishevich, you might jump to the conclusion that this is a book about her. That is, however, not the case. She is certainly the author of the book, but this book is neither her autobiography, or her memoir. This is a book about her family. Moreover, it not just about immediate family (her parents, grandparents) but about many other important members of her family. In addition, many historical and political figures are mentioned. The title of the book is a reference to the way she was raised. As Latica said in an interview for Nacional:

"Our home was frequented by some of the greatest artist and intellectuals of the time, from Jure Kashtelan to Tin Ujevich, and they would speak with my father until the break of dawn. My mother used to say: " Listen to them, until you fall asleep, that's the best school life can offer to you!". She would make a bed for me near the door and I would soak in their conversations. My father took me on long walks and said to me: "Look, Latica, look above, there you will find fascinating things!" He would set me free, showing me the sky, the windows, the architecture....He took me to the Sava river, to introvert Ervin Shinko and Vladimir Nazor, to the salon (atelier) of Motika and Paravich. During the weekends we would visit the modern gallery. They (my parents) taught me to observe and listen. That is why I have named my book: "Listen and observe, Latica!"

To put it simply, this book is a story about one well known intellectual /artistic family from Zagreb. It is neither a history book nor is it a memoir, but something in-between. This book feels more like a collection of reflections than a classical memoir or a family saga. Perhaps it would be best described a family collage. The main narrator is Latica Ivanishevich, daughter of Croatian poet/artist/ academic Drago Ivanishevich and choreographer/artist/ dance teacher Ines Ivanishevich whose maiden name was Shilovich- and whose family is very much part of this book.

Latica is the author of this book, but there are also other (narrative ) voices (from this family). The book actually opens with letters from Latica's grandmother Irena. Her grandmother wrote those letters to her parents while she was a student in Vienna. It was wonderful reading these letters from the start of the last century. Funny how much of myself I could find in the meditations of this young girl written at the start of the twentieth century! The next narrator is doctor Srechko Shilovich who writes letters from South America to which he had to flee the country for political prosecution.

These letters (or articles) were written in a manner of a travelling diary and it is quite possible they were intended for publications in newspapers. Despite all the difficulties Shilovich encounters settling on that content, his writing is filled with humour and funny episodes. Until he managed to establish his reputation as a doctor, his family survived eating only oranges from an orange tree that was planted in the garden of house they bought. Instead of being bitter about it, the whole family laughed about it- and they claim those oranges were delicious, very nutritive and had to be eaten with a spoon. People obviously didn't complain as much in the old days!

In general, there is not much complaining in this book. I never had a feeling there was a narrator who felt sorry for themselves- they seem to be willing to take whatever life throws at them. Considering that we're talking about a wealthy family who (more than once) lost everything they had, that says something about their character. In addition, some members of this family lost their lives due to their partisan/ political activities. All the cultural shifts and ideological struggles are reflected on the life of this family, some less, some more tragically. A quite large part of this book is narrated by Ines, Latica's mother, an artist and ballerina in her own right. Ines Ivanishevich has had a very interesting life. Not that many people know and remember that she was the first director ofLado. This book covers time period from the early 2o th century to present times, but the main focus is on the Second World War (probably because all the family members were known communist and partisans).

On goodreads I gave it four (out of five) stars because I found it extremely interesting. Perhaps I would give it 3 stars if I was trying to be really objective and strict, but there is no need for that- I liked it and that is that. I've always loved history and I feel like this book has given me historical insight into those turbulent times from a more humane point of view. What probably fascinated me the most were those intimate details about well known Croatian writers ( and painters). It was interesting to see them as real people, not as larger than life figures.

That being said, I'm aware that this book won't appeal to everyone. There are almost no footnotes and explanations. There are many photographs and letters included, but very little historical information or explanation. Unless you're well familiar with Croatian and Serbian intellectuals/ artists/ writers/ poets of that time, you probably won't be able to make heads of tails of it all. Names, names, names. A lot of international politicians are mentioned as well. At one point, you start to ask yourself---- Is there ANYONE this family didn't know? Apparently not. From Picasso to Modigliani, from Tito to Stalin, they had dealings with everyone.

However, it didn't always end up well. This book has a fair share of tragedy and sadness, especially when it covers wars. Those parts of the book felt very honest but certain losses were not elaborated on, which is understandable from the human point of view, but if these losses were spoken of more, it would have had made the book feel more complete. Still, with its 600 pages, this book managed to cover a great deal.

The book could have been edited better. It would have helped if the chapters had been better marked (so that we can be sure who the narrator is). A bit more information about the narrators would be helpful as well. It is not a perfect book. On one hand, there was some repetition and yet, I had a feeling that some things were left unsaid. Good editing could have fixed that- but it is a big task. Because of this wideness, perhaps a book like this is bound to left many things unsaid. I still think it could have been organized a bit more clearly. It would have made the reading easier.

However, I don't think we can hold it against the author who really had her work set out for her. Considering everything, I think she did a great job. With the help of her mother and family letters, she tells an epic story about several generations of her family, taking us from South America to Scandinavian countries, from Paris to Russia, from Italy to Croatia. The writing isn't poetical, nor does it flow absolutely effortlessly, but it is intelligent and fluent (natural) enough.

I always feel a sense of responsibility when I'm the first person to review some book on goodreads or a similar site, although I'm aware that reviews like this one (that is not pretentious/ or professional ones) are bound to be subjective. I suppose that it can be argued that the fact that some work hasn't been reviewed yet is all the more reason to do it, but it still makes me a bit nervous. I hope I managed to give you some indications about what kind of book this is.

" Mr. and Ms. Krleza were my friends until the end. The reason why I particularly want to describe my conversations with them is because they were deeply intimate. I gave several interviews, but I always maintained that what I want to say is not for newspapers, it is best suited for a book." Latica Ivanishevich, Listen and observe, Latica

My final thoughts? It is a very interesting book that offers a wide range of historical information and anecdotes. How accurate is that information? Is it more a personal view of things? Well, I suppose it is up to us to discover. Since it is not a history book, I won't hold its subjectivity against it. This book made me want to do some historical research. Books that make us want to learn more are always good, right? This is an interesting glimpse into the last century and present century. In the history of this family and its dynamics, we can see reflected much of past European sorrows and happiness.

nedjelja, 2. srpnja 2017.

Does it ever happens to you that a quote gets stuck in your head? Today I want to talk about one quote that I often remember. " It is difficult for a woman to define her feelings in language which is chiefly made by men to express theirs." This sentence was uttered by a heroine of Far From The Madding Crowd , a novel by Thomas Hardy ( download it for free here). In the time Bathsheba (the novel's protagonist) lived, this was certainly the truth. A man was the one who was supposed to express his romantic feelings to a woman, who was (in most cases- we're not speaking about prehistorical times) free to decline or accept these feelings.

In a romantic dialogue, the power lies with the woman who is being courted, or so it might seem. But what happens if a woman is uncertain about her feelings? Or if she wants to take the initiative and be the first one to express her feelings in words? A woman was simply not expected to elaborate on her feelings, especially when what was really expected was a clear answer. Moreover, it was quite uncommon for a woman to speak about her own romantic feelings towards a man. Because the man was (and perhaps still is) supposed to be an initiator, a woman trying to conduct a love discourse found (or perhaps still finds) herself at loss. I wonder how much is this still the case.

Anyhow, I brought this up because I also wanted to recommend this novel to you. It is a classic, but if you're just not into reading, I think there is also a film version ( I didn't see it, though). Bathsheba was certainly an interesting protagonist, so no wonder her words got stuck in my head. I suppose this happens more often than we're aware of. Something we heard may become a part of us. Someone's words (and in some ways his very soul) can became intricately linked with ours. There is immortality in words....and not just in words.

Think about this. Someone's gesture (how ever small) might change the course of your life. In this way, a part of this person is always with you. The more powerful the link or connection established, the more powerful the influence. Sometimes, we might not only grow up with someone but continue to grow with them. Similarly, you may admire a quality in somebody and introduce/establish it into your own life. This can even happen without you ever directly meeting this person. Immortality exists. It is not opium for the masses. Genuine communication and relationships still exist. Every meaningful gesture, glance or word carries within itself potential to change someone profoundly.

Back to the subject of the novel. There is no direct connection between my painting and the heroine of the novel I've just recommended to you. However, through the power of suggestion, I now see something of Bathsheba in this lady I painted. Similarly, there is no connection (that I know of) between this painting and the Bathsheba character from the Bible- but I do remember that episode quite well. When I was little, I remember reading an illustrated version of Bible. The painting of Bathsheba bathing (causing lust in king David) is probably still somewhere in the back of my head but it is not directly connected with this painting that wasn't planned at all. The medium of this painting is mixed media (mostly watercolour with an addition of a lipstick and nail-polish).

subota, 1. srpnja 2017.

Here is my fashion illustration of the day. I illustrated a feminine maxi dress. The background is quite colourful because I wanted to convey a happy and festive atmosphere. The medium is acrylic colours on paper. Acrylic paints are not recommended for painting fashion illustrations, but I like to break the rules.